REGINA – Luc Millinder returned to the scene of the crime this weekend – and as long as he remembered to turn one way, into the visitor’s dressing room at Mosaic Stadium, figured nothing could go wrong.

Mullinder, the Alouettes’ veteran defensive-tackle, spent seven seasons playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, including one Grey Cup victory, in 2007, and two other heartbreaking defeats to Montreal, in 2009-10.

And he returned here for the first time Thursday night, in advance of Saturday afternoon’s game against the Riders.

“I’m excited. I loved playing here. It was an incredible experience,” said the 32-year-old veteran. “One good thing about Saskatchewan is you never had a problem getting up for a game, no matter what situation you were in.”

Indeed, fans of the Riders travel to Regina from throughout the province, regularly packing the more than 30,000 seats at old and venerable Taylor Field, as the facility used to be known in the days of Ron Lancaster and George Reed.

Mullinder was traded to Montreal last season for receiver Dallas Baker. Mullinder, one of the Riders’ higher-paid starters, was underachieving reportedly and management was looking to shake things up, having released Tad Kornegay earlier.

But Mullinder lasted only one game for the Als a year ago. He was asked to take a paycut, balked and was released, resurfacing in Hamilton, where he played 11 games for the Tiger-Cats.

Released over the winter, Mullinder returned to Montreal, signing as a free agent last March.

While Mullinder’s name isn’t frequently mentioned and he doesn’t get many quarterback sacks or highlight-reel plays, defensive co-ordinator Jeff Reinebold said he’s satisfied with the play of the 6-foot-4, 288-pounder. Mullinder has stepped into the void created by injuries to J.P. Bekasiak and Ventrell Jenkins, and has proven quite serviceable.

“He’s a lunch-pail guy, not flashy,” Reinebold said. “When you watch tape, you appreciate what he does. He’s a grinder who does all the hard things. He did a great job (last Sunday) of rushing the passer against Toronto. He smacked the quarterback more than once.

“Coming into training camp, we didn’t know much about him or what his role would be,” Reinebold continued. “But he’s done a good job. I like him. He brings veteran toughness and has a bit of an edge to him.”

Mullinder certainly understands he’s closer to the end of his career than the beginning. And, since the Als clinched first place in the East Division Friday night, with the Argonauts’ loss against Winnipeg, Mullinder is one game, the division final, from guaranteeing another championship-game appearance.

“Football’s going to end. As a young guy, you think you’re going to play forever,” the personable Mullinder said. “As an older guy, you start appreciating what you have. I’ve always known I was one play away from never playing again. This is a blessing.

“As it winds down, you look back and don’t want to have regrets,” he added. “Had I not played last year or this year, I would have regretted a lot of things.”

The 13th man: Perhaps because the Als and Riders met in two successive Cup matchups – and because Saskatchewan arguably should have won the 2009 game – some media members continue suggesting this has become a rivalry game when the teams meet.

The Riders, arguably, should have – and would have – won in 2009, Damon Duval missing a final-play field goal. But as everyone knows, the Riders had a 13th man on the field, one too many, and Duval and the Als received a reprieve. He didn’t miss again, the Als capturing their first title since 2002.

Don’t suggest to Als quarterback Anthony Calvillo his team wasn’t worthy of the victory.

“We were down, I believe, 17-3 at halftime. We were down 16 points with eight minutes to go,” Calvillo said, calmly but deliberately. “We fought our way back … scoring, going for two, the defence stopping them, going back and scoring again … going for it on third down.

“All those things what we accomplished was given to us? I disagree,” Calvillo continued. “We fought back and earned that victory. A lot of people don’t think so. At the end of the day, I’m very happy with what happened, but I can’t control what people say.”

Enough already: Trent Guy was coming around, slowly, as the Als return specialist before suffering a concussion. Bo Bowling, his replacement, also has become a work in progress – his returns not generating huge yardage.

And, quite frankly, head coach Marc Trestman couldn’t care less. He said he wants the returners to catch the ball, not fumble and not relinquish field position. “Anything better is a bonus,” he said.

This just in: Rookie receiver Patrick Lavoie was a late scratch from the Als’ roster, suffering from back spasms. Also scratched were Wopamo Osaisai, Ed Gainey and Kristian Matte.

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